Time for Aberdeenshire Council to adopt the Ethical Care Charter

The branch has welcomed the push from the opposition councillors to put the Ethical Care Charter back on the agenda in Aberdeenshire Council.

Many other councils around Scotland have already adopted the Ethical Care Charter including Aberdeen City yet despite efforts by both councillors and the branch, Aberdeenshire Council has yet to adopt it.

The Ethical Care Charter is about setting a baseline for the safety, quality and dignity of care. It is about ensuring the recruitment and retention of a more stable workforce through more sustainable pay, conditions and training levels.

In a press release, it is pointed out that year ago today, Aberdeenshire Council agreed actions with regard to the Ethical Care Charter relating to the quality of care for our older and vulnerable citizens, and to support the workers who provide it.

A year later, nothing has happened:

In April 2017, the SNP/Labour Administration took a paper to Aberdeenshire Council seeking to explore how UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter could be implemented in Aberdeenshire.

Despite Aberdeenshire Council deciding to seek further information from UNISON and then to bring a further report to Full Council, this has not been done.

Scottish Labour Councillor Alison Evison said, “A year ago in April 2017, I ensured that the Ethical Care Charter was discussed in Full Council.

“We are now in April 2018, and, despite the commitment of UNISON to Ethical Care, no progress has been made by Aberdeenshire Council.

“It is not acceptable for a democratic council decision to be overlooked in this way. This reflects very badly on the current Tory-led Administration.

“Over the last few weeks, I have been reminding officers of the decision made last April,” continued Alison, “I am pleased to see some signs of action now emerging as a result.”

Inez Kirk

Inez Kirk Branch Secretary commented, “UNISON raised this issue of Ethical Care in Aberdeenshire a number of years back, with senior UNISON officials meeting with council officers on a number of occasions.

“The Ethical Care Charter would bring benefits to service users, the staff and those commissioning care, as well as equity of pay and conditions across the board regardless of employer. It is about providing the best care in Aberdeenshire.

“UNISON remains ready to talk about implementing the Charter in Aberdeenshire,” Inez confirmed.